Top 5 Free Children's Attractions in Chicago

Are you new to the Chicago Area and looking for fun free events for the children? Are you planning a weekend trip to Chicago and with gas prices as high as they are do you find yourself looking for free weekend activities for the kids? Here are some fun and free children's activities in the Chicago area, some available during the week and some on weekends only.

Because airfare to Italy is so expensive and the children have their hearts set on Chicago why not the best of both worlds have and take in Chicago's 51^st Annual Venetian Night in Millennium Park. Select a spot between the Shedd Aquarium on Roosevelt Street and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street along Lake Michigan. Enjoy this Saturday night event featuring as many as 35 boats or more decorated with lights and props as they sail down Lake Michigan. Walk or Bike to this extravaganza that starts at 6:30 PM on Sat. July 26^th and lasts until about 10PM. This free "trip to Italy" attracts approximately 675,000 people so stake your spot along the lake-front early. Did someone say picnic? You and your children are sure to enjoy this wonderful evening of brightly lit Venetian style boats floating by on the lake. For more information about this free child friendly attraction in Chicago visit http://www.venetiannightchicago.us on the web.

Millennium Park is located near Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway.

Another free children's attraction at Chicago's Millennium Park is the Family Fun Festival activities. From July 16^th - Sept. 1^st, located under the tent at Chase Promenade North start your day at 10AM with Wiggleworms. Join the Old Town School of Folk Music instructors as your children are lead in sing-alongs, circle dances, finger games and more. This hour long activity ends with rhythm instruments designed for children's hands.

The free fun doesn't end there; at 11 AM join the Reading Circle and at noon and 2:00 PM enjoy Family Performances of live music and interactive dance. Whether you prefer swing, folk, hip hop, bluegrass or pop your family is sure to find something of interest at this fun free Children's attraction in Chicago. For more information about the free Family Fun Festival event see the Family fun Brochure on-line at: http://www.millenniumpark.org/documents/FamilyFunFestivalAncillaryPiece.pdf

Barnes and Noble

Are you and your little tyke all read out? Have you read the same books over and over again? Then why not pack up your baby bookworm and head over to Barnes and Noble's Clybourn location for Picture Book Story Time for Infants. It's free, except for the espresso and biscotti mom or dad may want. No pre-registration required either. Just sit back and relax as Barnes and Noble employees narrate one of the many stories available on the Barnes and Noble shelves. Recommended age is up to 3 years. Hours are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 -10:30 AM. The Barnes and Noble Clybourn location is located at 1441 W. Webster Avenue in Chicago.

Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath...Mommy, my flippers won't stay on in the tub!

Are the kids driving you crazy with shouts of let's go swimming, let's go swimming? Well, why not do just that. Gather up your children ages 1 to 10, don you swim suit too mom, and head on over to Eckhart Park's indoor pool for the Free Family Swim. Monday - Friday 6:30-7:30 or Saturdays 2:15-3:15 enjoy free water fun the whole family can enjoy. Visit the Chicago Parks District website for more details at http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/pool_schedules/

Chicago Children's Museum

For an over the top Free children's activity The Chicago Children's Museum offers Target Free First Mondays. On the first Monday of each month admission is free to all children ages 15 and under. Another great offering is the Kraft Free Family Night. Thursday evenings from 5-8 PM The Chicago Children's Museum offers free admission to everyone. Whether you Play IT Safe in the interactive environment developed by the Chicago Fire Department or prefer walking through the Art Abounds Gallery and viewing wondrous works of Art created by children and their families in the Chicago Children's Museum's own Art Studio; you are bound to be delighted with the many Exhibits the Children's Museum has to offer. Find out more about the Museum by logging onto its website http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/hours.html and browsing. The museum is located at 700 East Grand Avenue at Navy Pier. Phone 312-527-1000

Resources:

http://www.venetiannightchicago.us

http://www.millenniumpark.org/documents/FamilyFunFestivalAncillaryPiece.pdf

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/pool_schedules/

http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/hours.html

http://www.oldtownschool.org/